RAWALPINDI: Realizing the importance of soil and water conservation, Rawalpindi Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University (PMAS-AAUR) Department of Soil Science and Soil and Water Conservation (SS&SWC) has been upgraded to Institute of Soil Science here on Wednesday.
The Institute was inaugurated by PMAS-AAUR Vice Chancellor (VC) Professor Dr Rai Niaz Ahmad. Meanwhile, deans of the respective departments, directors, faculty members and students were also present on the occasion.
The department of SS&SWC Chairman Professor Dr Khalid Saifullah Khan in his welcome address briefed the participants about the history of the department and emphasized the need to upgrade the mentioned department to the level of an institute.
The VC also highlighted the importance of efficient use of farm inputs and urged the soil scientists to play a leading role in conservation of land and water resources.
He said that agricultural productivity profoundly depended on the health of the soil. Therefore, it was very important to protect the natural resources by adopting latest agricultural practices to boost production in order to feed the increasing population, he added.
Furthermore, the VC highlighted the objectives of the newly inaugurated institute and said that this institute would not only educate undergraduate and graduate students but would also help to solve the problems related to soil & water conservation, soil fertility and sustainable productivity in a more efficient manner.